Master Class Standby / Understudy Question

Hello. I was looking at a YouTube video of Master Class with Patti LuPone. I wondered who would have been her understudy/standby. I then looked at the Master Class Playbill Vault. In the cast list, there was not a mention of an understudy or standby. I thought that was interesting.

Updated On: 3/30/20 at 10:19 PM

The fact that Patti LuPone performed while ill does not necessarily mean there was no standby. A standby can elect to not have her name listed in the program, as many often do -- especially if they are somewhat prominent.

Marway44 said: "There was no understudy for the role. It was news when the show opened and the box office confirmed this when I picked up the tickets. You really have to give credit to someone with that kind of responsibility. You have to do all 8 shows a week, sick or tired."

I highly doubt the accuracy of this, regardless of what you were told. Most likely, there was a uncredited standby whose performance was announced in the event of her appearance (which may have been never). I'll happily eat my words if someone can provide concrete evidence to the contrary.

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Updated On: 3/31/20 at 10:55 AM

At end of the day shows like Master Class or Hedwig are star-vehicles and almost virtually one-person shows. There's almost no point in having an understudy, since the overwhelming majority of the audience would ask for a refund or exchange if the star is missing.

Updated On: 3/31/20 at 08:42 PM

imeldasturn said: "At end of the day shows like Master Class or Hedwig are star-vehicles and almost virtually one-person shows.There's almost no point in having an understudy, since the overwhelming majority of the audience would ask for a refund or exchange if the star is missing."

This. Especially if the Master Class no-understudy situation originated with Zoe Caldwell (who, remember, was married to the show's producer, Robert Whitehead). And if the leading actor can't go on, then the producer cancels the show and the Star Insurance kicks in.